UPDATE: Newark Police say Payne campaign applied for escort permit

Noah K. Murray/The Star LedgerNewark police are now saying that the Donald Payne Jr. campaign did apply for a permit when a caravan of supporters rode through city streets with a Newark police escort.

NEWARK — Newark police are now saying that the Donald Payne Jr. campaign did apply for a permit when a caravan of supporters rode through city streets with a Newark police escort.

"Yes, they did apply for the permit," said Police director Samuel DeMaio. "A copy was provided to Lt. Purcell from special events when the request was made."

DeMaio's statement comes after two days of questions regarding the escort, which Payne's opponents said smacked of unethical influence.

"I'm sure that Mr. Payne had no knowledge of it and would never condone it," said State Sen. and former governor Richard Codey (D-Essex), who added, "It was a horrendous decision by his campaign and the Newark police department at a time when there's a shortage of police officers not only in Newark but everywhere."

Congressional candidate Cathy Wright, who is mounting a grassroots campaign for the seat, also weighed in.

"Payne is acting like he has the right to do this, just because of his name. How presumptuous of him," said Wright, a Jersey City native. "Our tax dollars are paying for these vehicles and no one candidate should use them for their own purpose, campaign or otherwise."

Thursday, Newark Councilman Ron Rice and State Sen. Nia Gill chided Payne for the appearance that he used his influence to garner a police escort for the caravan.

"There were 91 homicides in Newark last year," Gill said in a statement. "Councilman Payne voted to lay off 163 police officers and to give himself a pay raise. The people of Newark and all taxpayers demand an immediate explanation for requiring police officers to be involved in a political campaign caravan."

After two days of unanswered questions to communications officials in City Hall and the Newark police, DeMaio confirmed today that the Payne camp went through appropriate channels.

On Thursday, Police spokesman Sgt. Ronald Glover said police escorts are common for public events provided they have permits, but did not say whether Payne had applied for such a permit.

He referred questions to City Hall.

Newark's acting communications director, Esmeralda Diaz Cameron, punted questions back to the police: "Sgt Glover will be following up with answers to your questions."

When Glover was again questioned, he refused to answer any more questions.